Today the elegant Hurva synagogue represents the rebirth of a Jewish presence in Jerusalem’s Old City, after a 19 year absence (1948-1967). Jews were forced out of the Old City by the Jordanian Army during Israel’s War of Independence. The Jordanians blew up the synagogue in 1948. It was reconstructed and reopened for prayer in 2010

The synagogue takes its name from its history. First built 300 years ago, it was originally destroyed by Arab neighbors of the Jewish quarter in 1721 and was rebuilt, for the first time, in 1864.

The Hurva is an easily recognized land mark seen from the hills surrounding the Old City and it sits on the central plaza of the Jewish Quarter.